Girls Weekend

This weekend we had a girls' weekend at G's Getaway!  The Gigandets were so gracious to let us stay in their beautiful lake house.  And of course Melissa thought of every last detail to make the whole weekend perfect!

The accommodations were amazing and the company even better!  I love these girls so much!!

 We relaxed by the lake, road in the boat (thanks to our boat boy, Chris Hill), made smores by the fire, and did a whole lot of talking!

It was fun pretending like we lived in a beautiful sorority house for a weekend.  Cooking dinner together over wine and gossip!

We were even brave enough to participate in some water sports.  Although, I'm still sore from that adventure!
 

And when I get overwhelmed or stressed out this week, my mind will wonder back to this beautiful scene.  Thank you Mel for giving us all a break from reality and a chance to enjoy the company of our favorite friends!

Sick Day

Last night Caroline had her first fever.  It was only 100.7, but we don't mess with fevers here at the Kelly house.  So I decided to take her in to see the doctor this morning.

I'm so glad I did because our sweet girl had an ear infection and her throat was very irritated from the congestion and her reflux.  Had it not been for the fever, I would never have known because she never complained.  I love her sweet nature, but I also like knowing when my babies don't feel good.

They weighed her during the visit so now I can officially record her 4 month stats in her baby book (except length which we'll get next week).  She weighed in at 13 pounds and 11 ounces.  Exactly one pound less that Elizabeth at 4 months.  I was beginning to think Caroline had bypassed E, but I guess not.  They're still close enough that I bet they'll share clothes when they're teenagers!!

The doctor visit wore her out!

 On the bright side of being sick, I got to spend the day at home soaking up this precious face!

Strawberry Dress Comparison

For Elizabeth's 4 months pictures, she wore this sweet strawberry smocked dress.  Caroline wore it for the first time last weekend to church so I had to take some pictures for comparison.      

Elizabeth was actually almost 5 months in her pictures while Caroline was a few days shy of 4 months.  At this young age, a few weeks can make a big difference.  For instance, Caroline is just now starting to arch her back and hold herself up when she's on her tummy.  I'm sure by 5 months she'll be a pro!

Please remember that Elizabeth's pictures were taken by someone with professional lighting and editing equipment.  Caroline's were taken by her not so talented, but crazy picture lovin' mama.

And because I love a good trip down memory lane, here are some more of Elizabeth from her 4 month pictures.

This is a look I still get every day from her.  It usually means she's done something she's not supposed to!  And yes, I said that happens every day!!

Some more of baby girl #2.

Elizabeth couldn't stand it anymore.  She had to get in on the action.  How many pictures do you think we have of Elizabeth kissing Caroline?!

Then E decided to drag C across the floor in her moses basket.  Who needs toys when you have a baby sister?!

We tried to take a picture of me with both girls, but by then I was sweating, hair was in a pony tail, and no make-up was left on my face.  But I still wanted to post it because I spend a lot of my time like this.  Carrying around my two babies.  Elizabeth loves for me to hold her when I'm holding Caroline.  It's really not jealousy as much as she thinks it's fun that we're all together.  (I know this because she won't let me put Caroline down either.)  How can I say no to such a sweet request?

Caroline is 4 months old!

Caroline, You are 4 months old today!  How can that be?  I've called you "Pumkin Little" since you were born, but all of a sudden you're not so little anymore.  You still don't seem very eager to do things like rolling over so that is keeping you my baby a little bit longer!

I wasn't able to take your picture this morning, so I took it this evening.  You are definitely more of a morning girl.  That's when you give us the biggest smiles.  This evening you were so tired, I could barely get a grin out of you.  But you also didn't fuss either.  You just sat there staring at me as if to say, "Just let me know when your done."  You really are a very content little angel.

Your 4 month check up isn't until next week, so I don't have any stats on you.  But you are wearing size 2 diapers and 3-6 months clothes (6 months only in pajamas).

You're a huge fan of the swing.  I think it's not just the swinging, but the location of the swing.  It's high enough that you can see all the action going on pretty good.  You also like laying in the middle of the floor as long as you're not on your tummy.  You're not a fan of tummy time anymore.  I think that's because you really don't care to exert the effort it takes to keep your head lifted up to see everybody.  You'd rather lay on your back and watch.  And every time I lay you down, your sister comes and lays beside you.  You actually smile at her now which gets an even bigger reaction out of her.

 You're not near as wiggly as Elizabeth was.  I'm happy about that since I usually am holding you with one hand and Elizabeth with another.  You're sweet, easy-going nature is so very lovable.  Another way you girls are different, is that you are quite the drooler.  I don't think Elizabeth drooled ever, and she never spit up.  I wouldn't say that you are an extreme drooler, but compared to your sister you are!

We tried to increase the ounces of milk you were taking at each feeding so that you could go longer in between.  That lasted for about 2 days.  We realized you just like to eat less, but every three hours.

You adjusted well to daycare.  It actually didn't even seem to phase you.  Your teachers tell me how sweet you are, and how they call you "Elizabeth" all the time because you look so much alike.  Actually, this month I see a big difference in your looks.  But you still look like sisters.  And when I come into your classroom, even when you can't see me, you hear my voice and start kicking your legs and smiling (says the teacher that can see your face at the time).  You have no idea how that makes my heart melt!

Happy 4 month birthday, sweet, sweet Caroline.  We treasure you so very much and love you more than you could ever imagine.

1 month

2 months 

3 months

4 months

Here is their 4 month comparison.  They both look like their daddy still, but they must have some of their mama in them because I'm starting to see some differences!

P.S. We took you to the doctor for your 4 month check up on August 30th.  You weighed 14 pounds 2 ounces which is in the 65 percentile.  You were 25 1/4 inches long which is in the 85 percentile.  You are staying consistent in your percentiles just like Elizabeth did.  But Elizabeth's percentiles were always 75 percentile for weight and 95 percentile for height.  Just a little bigger/longer, but both of my gorgeous girls are long and lean!

Just Relaxing

So far this weekend has been very relaxing which is exactly what we needed.  We've taken it easy, moved at slow pace, and basically just bummed around.  

Caroline loves to lay in the middle of the floor and watch us.  She doesn't miss anything from that spot.  And Elizabeth moves around so quickly that Caroline looks like she's watching a tennis match most of the time just trying to keep up.

We've played a lot outside today and worked a little in the flower beds.

Elizabeth took a break from running around the back yard to sit and talk to Caroline.  Actually, I think she felt left out from the picture taking:)

Then Jake came and licked her on the arm so she started crying.  What made me laugh is that she turned to tell Caroline as if she could actually do anything about it!  This is her crying to C, "Jake licked me!"  Can't you see the concern in Caroline's face?!

 After our entire family took a 3 hour nap, Elizabeth kicked the ball around outside with her daddy.

We did make it to the farmer's market and grocery store this morning, so tonight we grilled out and had a yummy dinner.  Afterwards, both girls had a good long bath to clean up before bedtime.  After church tomorrow, we plan to relax some more!

Elizabeth is 2 1/2!

Yersterday my oldest baby turned 2 1/2!  Yes, we celebrate half birthdays around here.  Not that Elizabeth knows what that means yet, but soon she will come to cherish the "half" as a completely different age altogether just as most kids do.   And she loves any excuse to sing the Happy Birthday song.  Especially when it's sung to her.  Unfortunately, yesterday was not the best day for us.  Both girls woke up at 4:00am and ended up in bed with us which means NO ONE got any sleep.  I had intended on taking her picture before school.  Before she came home in her usual state of toddler messiness.  But that did not happen.  So I tried again when we got home from school.  When she refused to sit in her chair where I always took her monthly pictures, I took her outside and worked with what she gave me (which wasn't much).  

Happy Birthday Elizabeth.  Here's what you are up to at 2 1/2:

• Some days we are hit hard with the "terrible twos" and it's Meltdown City around here.  
• You love your baby sister more than anything.  You're very protective of her.  The other day, Jake sniffed Caroline while she was in her carseat.  You ran to her, shouted "NO Jake", then got down next to her, stroked her face and said, "Sissy okay?" in the most concerned little voice.

• Your favorite phrase is still, "I do it."  You are the most independent little girl I've ever known.
• You love school.  You talk about your teachers and friends at home all of the time.  Last week as we were walking out of the class, you started waving over your shoulder and saying "Bye Friends". Like they were all there just for your entertainment!
• You now know all of the colors, can identify most all of the letters, and can count to 20 almost completely by yourself.  If we try to count with you, you shout, "I do it!"

• You also can count to ten in Spanish.  We did not know you could do this until one day we heard you saying, "uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, diez."  You skipped nine, and still do. Needless to say, we did not teach you that.  I've always called your daycare school, but you do actually learn so much there.  You soak everything up.
• You are constantly asking me to hold Caroline.  Then you say, "Mommy, Get your camera."  I guess I'm the one to blame for that:)

• You have recently started calling me "mom" sometimes.  I'm not sure where that came from, and I have to say, I really don't like it.  You just sound so grown up.    
• Your favorite toys are still balls, books, and puzzles.  
• You still weigh about 30 pounds.  And your feet measured exactly a nine last week, so we bought 9.5s and 10s for the Fall and Winter.  I can't believe it!

Here is a look back two years ago until now.  

6 months

12 months

18 months

24 months

30 months

Happy 2 1/2 Birthday, Elizabeth.  You keep me on my toes, teach me patience, bring me more joy than I've ever known before, and fill my heart with so much love I think it might burst sometimes.  These last 2 1/2 years have been the most fulfilling years of my life.  We are passionately in love with you, our precious angel.

Love, Mommy and Daddy